Majority oppose the government incentivizing AI data centre construction – Two thirds of Canadians at least somewhat oppose the government providing financial incentives to encourage the construction of AI data centres in Canada (38% oppose; 26% somewhat oppose), while just over one in four support (six per cent) or somewhat support this (22%).
Positive views outweigh negative views on economic impact, but no majority opinion – Just over two in five Canadians think constructing AI data centres in Canada will have a positive (15%) or somewhat positive (29%) impact on the Canadian economy, while about one in three think the impact will be negative (15%) or somewhat negative (17%).
Canadians give slight edge to prioritizing both building AI data centres and protecting resources rather than only protecting resources – Just under one in two think Canada should equally prioritize investing in AI data centres to strengthen Canada’s economy and competitiveness and protecting energy, water and land resources from large industrial developments (46%), while two in five think the priority should be protecting energy, water and land resources (40%). Nine per cent think Canada should prioritize investing in AI data centres.
Click here to view Globe and Mail article.
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,104 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, from July 28th to 30th, 2026 as part of an omnibus survey. The sample included both land- and cell-lines across Canada. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.
Individuals randomly called using random digit dialing with a maximum of five call backs.
The margin of error for this survey is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
This study was commissioned by the Globe and Mail and the research was conducted by Nanos Research.
Full data tables with weighted and unweighted number of interviews are here.
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